In the not so old days there was a curtain between cattle class and the front of the airplane. A curtain that could be set on any seat row depending on how many was booked in each cabin class.
Wouldn't a curtain between each and every row of seats negate the need fo distance. A relatively cheap solution that already exists and just need to be bought in in numbers. Maybe even a curtain between seats in the same row could be added for your own little cocoon. Certainly something a thrifty airline exec could put together a sample of, photograph and suggest to the relevant authorities. Instead of just complaining, threatening and then leave the initiative to overcarefull politicians decicions.
When that is said there are constant pictures of jam packed flights in Norway with all seats occupied every day now due to few flights available.
Btw LTNman, you can avoid touching your face during a short busride and disinfect your hands afterwards, but during a multihour planetrip ....